WHEN COWS COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Age Range: 3 - 7

Pub Date: Sept. 1st, 2005ISBN: 0-8075-8877-6Publisher: Whitman

Three amiable bovine sisters always hoof it back to the ranch each year for the holidays, only this year they have a little problem. One sister, Moosha from New York, was having such a good time dancing the Cowpoke Polka that she crashed through the floor with both back legs, right up to the hem of her bright pink dress. Moosha is stuck in the corner where the Christmas tree was to be set up, and the relatives couldn’t free her, even with Pa’s tractor. But these cows, like all farm folk, are an inventive bunch, so they decide to decorate Moosha as the Christmas tree, starting a new family tradition. The rollicking, rhyming text is full of fun and drama, but it’s Chapman’s illustrations that make the cows come to life with humorous expressions and outfits. Her cows all have their own personalities, right down to little cousin Dale, who hangs a golden star on Moosha’s tail and solves the family’s dilemma. (Picture book. 3-7)